Abstract:
Increasing interest on sustainable agriculture has led to the development of new materials
which can be used as seed coating agents. In this study, a new material was developed based on
gelatin film reinforced with cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) which was further used as nanocomposite
matrix for Trichoderma harzianum KUEN 1585 spores. The nanocomposite films were characterized
by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron
microscopy (SEM), showing the formation of new hydrogen bonds between the components with a
good compatibility between them. Measurements of water contact angles and tests of water vapor
sorption and swelling degree revealed an improvement in the water vapor absorption properties
of the films as a result of their reinforcement with CNC. Furthermore, by adding the Trichoderma
harzianum KUEN 1585 spp. in the seed coating material, the germination percentage, speed of
germination and roots length of the corn seeds improved. The polymeric coating did not inhibit the
growth of T. harzianum KUEN 1585, with this material being a good candidate in modern agriculture.
